I am alive. I feel a bit run-down, but I’m definitely here. Remember a while back when I was searching for beta testers? Well, my new company and our software went live last Friday. We’re real!

Needless to say, launching a store full of product plus a new software application is not an easy or quick task. Just the technical stuff takes hours … Then you add in the marketing and promotion?

So that’s where I’ve been – heads down in “real world” work and unless it concerns digital scrapbooking, I haven’t been heard from. It’s not stopping for a couple of weeks. I leave in a few days for a large trade show in Los Angeles (Craft & Hobby Association show) and that’s followed by an immediate trip to San Jose where I’m teaching social media classes. I’m back in time for the Super Bowl and that’s about when I expect my life to return to normal.

Not sure what digital scrapbooking is? Visuals works best, I’ve found. Below is a photobook I created in our Panstoria Artisan software, then ordered from Shutterfly. I’ll have the physical book in my hand by the end of the week. No glue, scissors or mess were needed.

Ah, a new year and even a new decade. Time to list my New Year’s Resolutions. I’m terrible at follow-through, but maybe you all can help me. I suspect that, even though I’ve wished for calm, 2010 will be a year with some upheaval and change for me.

Resolutions

Wine: I’d like to either get my CWE (Certified Wine Educator) or Level 1 Sommelier this year, and I’d like to get certified in Mixology / Craft Cocktails. I know, I seem to be working on some weird career trajectory towards bartender, but I hope I can somehow become a trainer in the adult beverage industry someday like I am in the technology field. We’ll see.

Real Life: I’d also like to change my day job. It’s time to find a “real job,” as I call it, and stop working at home in my pajamas. Ideally the perfect job is in marketing and social media or training and social media. You get the gist. Cross your fingers for me. That job hunt will probably start in March, if not sooner.

Thank you so much for reading and sticking with me. I love my readers and I hope you all know that. My thanks and best wishes for a safe and wonderful 2010!

I’m currently the featured story on Palate Press. It’s a little article I whipped up about Champagne – some differences between the big houses and, my personal favorite, grower Champagnes. I also interviewed a few local retailers, including Ryan from Buttermilk’s Cork-n-Bottle and Jen from Kenwood’s Microwines.